Fire extinguishing apparatus



June 30, 1942. E, ERT; A 2,287,873

, FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1942. E. GEERTZ T 2,287,873

' FIRE EXTINGUISHING AFPARA'IUS Filed May 1, 1941 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 amen M Z92? kerb 'd CZwrlerA fieiz June so, 1942,

E. GEERTZ ET AL FIRE EXTINGUI SHING APPARATUS Filed May 19, 1-941 -|||||||lIHH v 5 sheets Sheet 4 vvvvvvvvvvvvv Patented June 36, 1942 UNHTE D STATES FATENT' OFFIFCE FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Eric Geertz and Charles A. Getz, GlenEllymIlL, assignorsto Cardo'x; Corporation, Chicago, 111.; a corporation of lllinois V Application May.19, 1941, Serial No. 394,196 20.Claims. (Cl; 169-31) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in portable fire extinguishing units adapted for employing such extinguishing gases as carbon dioxide and for efiecting automatic extinguishment of fires occurring in enclosed spaced by totally flooding such spaces.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to employ carbon dioxide, or the like, as a fire extinguishing medium either in portable extinguishers, whichare entirely under manual control, or in fixed systems which may be manually and/or automatically controlled.

The portable extinguishers have taken several forms which may be generally defined as follows:

a. Small extinguishers, holding up to approximately ten pounds of the extinguishing gas, which must be carried by a person to the location of the fire and manipulated to effect direct application of the medium onto the fire.

b. Containers holding 25 or 50 pounds of extinguishing gas which are supported on transportable wheeled carriers or on cradles adapted to be carried by two or more persons. These larger containers also must be moved to the locationofthe fire and manipulated to effect direct application of the medium onto the fire.

c. Wheeled trucks, carrying tanks or banks of small containers having a total capacity for considerably more than 100 pounds of the extinguishing gas. These trucks usually are motor propelled to the location of the fire and hose lines must be manipulated" to effect direct application of the medium onto the fire or flooding of enclosures in which the fire is burning.

Each one of these prior portable extinguishers has been provided with one or more manually operable valves, or the like, that are employed to start the release of the extinguishing medium through the associated discharge nozzle, or nozzles, when the latter are properly positioned with respect to the fire. Consequently, this type of extinguisher is useless if the required person or persons are not present to properly handle the same. Of course, the relatively small capacity extinguishers can only be used successfully on comparatively small fires, while use of the large capacity wheeled trucks in connection with sizable fires is subjected to all of the hose manipulation handicaps, etc., encountered with any large piece of fire fighting apparatus which must be kept on roadways, or other solid ground, exteriorly positioned with respect to involved buildings or enclosed spaces.

Obviously, the real advantage of using portable equipment comes from its ready availability for hazards at different-locations and its low initial cost.

As stated, fixed systems are either entirely manually. controlled, entirelyautomatically controlled, or acombination of both manual and automatic. They are-employed when the hazard isof sucha character that one or a reasonable 1 number of small portable extinguishers will not to a temperature rise resulting from the existenceof a. hostile fire to start the=fiow of the extinguishing medium, afford the desired fire protection regardless of the presence or absence of an attendant.

Many types of hazards can only be fully:pro-- tectedbyequipment which automatically detects the presence of a fire and starts the release of the extinguishing medium as a result or" such detection-w However, an extremely large percentage of' such hazards are not provided with this typeof protectionat the present time because becauseof the extremely high cost of makingthenecessary installation ofpipingwhich will carry the extinguishing-medium from the source of supply,

which must a be of relatively large capacity and readily accessiblefor-replenishing service, to the location-of the hazard or hazards to be protected.

Due to the inherent characteristics of this type of system; it is extremely non-flexible 'or" fixedinsof-ar as the location or locations of theprotected hazards are concerned. That is to'say,

each hazard to be protected, regardless" of whether itis permanent; periodic, ortemporary in character, must beanticipatedwhen the' system is planned;

firedetect-ion devices with' -th ei-r connections to the controlvalves, to cover the locations or -all ofsaid hazards, must beprovided-and permanently The proper pipe' linesfor theextinguishing medium as well as the requiredtion. As a result, temporary or periodic hazards are seldom provided with the automatic fire protection they really should have and the inadequate protection afforded by manually controlled equipment is all that is usually relied upon.

To explain what is meant by periodic hazards, let us assume that a fireproof building having several rooms or enclosed spaces is involved. The building is not in danger of being destroyed or damaged by fire if proper protection is given the combustible objects or materials confined within the rooms or spaces of the same. Many such buildings are normally used in such a manner that certain of their rooms or spaces are always provided with valuable, combustible objects or materials while the remaining rooms or spaces are only periodically employed for temporarily confining valuable, combustible objects, etc. That is to say, certain of these remaining rooms may be used for one period of time, while the others are empty, and the rooms which are occupied may vary from time to time.

A fixed automatic fire extinguishing system, to provide adequate protection for such a building,

must include every one of the several rooms and yet only a fractional portion of the entire system is ever relied upon at any one time. In such a situation, if the owner cannot afford or justify the installation of an automatic system which will protect all of the rooms of his building, he may decide that he might just as well rely on the conventional, manually controlled, portable equipment for the entire building. On the other hand, he may install a fixed, automatic system to take care of the rooms most frequently used and run the risk of being able to protect the remaining rooms with portable equipment. Prior to the development of the present invention, there was no real solution for this mans fire problem.

There are numerous examples of temporary hazards which might be given, but reference to one or two should be suificient to illustrate the need for the present invention to protect this type of hazard.

a. For example, a new building, or an enlargement on an old building is being erected and, when the construction work has been completed, it will be provided with the necessary automatic fire protection, or

b. As a result of extensive remodeling operation being performed in a room which normally contains valuable, combustible objects or materials and is protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system, it becomes necessary to temporarily disassemble a portion of the system so that the room is no longer provided with automatic protection, or the contents of the room must be moved into an unprotected portion of the building.

In each of these cases fire hazards exist which, although they are only temporary in character, are abnormally dangerous because of the well recognized careless habits of workmen engaged in construction operations. However, manually controlled portable equipment is all that has been available to protect this type of property and, because it is so inadequate, it is seldom provided.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide fire extinguishing units which are entirely self-contained; which may be placed so as to permanently protect one space or readily moved from one location to another to afford protection for periodic or temporary hazards; which may be readily transported from the space being protected to a point entirely outside of the building, or on the ground floor of the building adjacent an exterior wall so that the supply of fire extinguishing medium may be replenished when necessary; and which will automatically detect the existence of a fire and will accomplish extinguishment of the same as a result of such detection.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a completely unitized piece of fire fighting equipment which will operate to automatically detect the existence of a fire in an enclosed space; which will fiood the space with a sumcient quantity of vapors to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere as a result of such detection; and which will maintain a uniform distribution of the vapors throughout the height of the space notwithstanding the heavier than air characteristics of the vapors.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one completeunitized, automatically operable, portable fire fighting apparatus embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig, 1 with the mechanism of the apparatus, which is confined within a transportable cabinet, disclosed in dash lines,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the cabinet of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 and illustrates in side elevation the mechanism confined within the cabinet,

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but taken at right angles thereto,

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of unitized, portable apparatus embodying this invention,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the cabinet of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 with the mechanism confined within the cabinet illustrated in side elevation,

Figure '7 is a combined vertical sectional view and side elevational View which is taken at right angles to the disclosure of Fig. 6, and

Figure 8 is a detail elevational view of a portion of the cabinet illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, and discloses one pair of louvred doors which may be opened to provide access to the mechanism located within the cabinet.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown the preferred embodiments of this invention, and particularly referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, which illustrate one embodiment of the invention, the reference character l0 designates the cabinet which houses the mechanism of the unit.

This cabinet should be of proper dimensions to permit the same to pass readily through conventional, single width doorways which constitute the entrance openings of the rooms or enclosures which may be given fire protection by this unit. To facilitate movement of the unit into and out of such rooms and into difierent locations within a building, the cabinet is supported by wheels I I which are connected by caster mounts 42 to the bottom of the cabinet. Figs. 1 and 2 clearly illustrate hinged doors 13 which are provided for one end portion of the cabinet and are arranged on opposite sides of the same. Louvres l4 and I5 are provided in the lower and upper portions of both of these doors to provide for a circulation of air through this end portion of the cabinet. The adjacent end wall of the cabinet, also, is provided with louvres it which cooperate with the door louvres for providing this circulation of air.

The cabinet I is intended to have housed therein proper tank or container means for confining the required quantity of carbon dioxide which is employed, in the event of a fire, to flood the room or enclosure in which the unit is located for the purpose of creating an extinguishing atmosphere of carbon dioxide vapors mixed with the air of the enclosure. The following table illustrates the quantities of liquid carbon dioxide which are recommended for use in different sized rooms to create proper fire extinguishing atmospheres for different types 'or classes of fires or hazards. It will be appreciated that this table is based-on the requirement that the room or enclosure be reasonably well shut off or sealedagainst the egress of the extinguishing atmosphere. The quantities of carbon diox de must be increased or given sized rooms 'to compensat for conditions which will allow the extinguishing atmosphere to escape at abnormal rates. The table covering normal operating conditions-is given as follows:

Types or classes of hazards, room sizes in cubic feet Quantity of C0 Of course, the cabinet may be provided with a bank of -pound, high pressure cylinders for confining the required carbon dioxide. However, for this type of unit, there are numerous reasons for and advantages to be obtained from the use of low pressure storage tanks which are enclosed in a heat insulating envelope and in which the liquid carbon dioxide is maintained at a predetermined subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure. In employing the expression"subatmospheric temperature, a normal atmospheric temperature of 70 F. is used as a basis of comparison.

Because one of the principal reasons for developing a fire extinguishing unit of this character was to provide automatic protection at a cost which is considerably less than the cost of installing a fixed system which will give the same type of protection, a comparison between the cost of employing high pressure cylinders and loW pressure insulated tanks, for confining the liquid carbon dioxide, is important. Containers capable of handling liquid carbon dioxide at the high vapor pressures required for maintaining the liquid at the surrounding atmospheric temperatures usually cost purchasers from $450.00 to $600.00 per ton of carbon dioxide capacity, depending upon the capacity of each container and the number of containers purchased at any one time. The use of low pressure insulated containers, with mechanism capable ofmaintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at the desired subatmospheric temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure, requires an outlay of approximately $275.00 per ton of carbon dioxide.

Another factor which is of considerable importance in dealing with a unit of this'character is .the overall dimensions of the unit and the amount of liquid carbon dioxide that can be provided with a .unit' that occupies a given floor space. As stated, the units embodying thisxinvention are intended to be capable of ready movement from one room or enclosure to another in a building of conventional design. Therefore, the units :must be capable of being moved through conventional, single widthdoorways.

A unit .of the'character illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, having the overall dimensions of 2 feet 7 inches in width, 6 feet 1% inches in depth, and 6 feet 11%; inches in height including the wheels i i, is capable .of confining 1000 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide in properly insulated, low pressure "tanks with the necessary mechanism for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at the desired subatmospherical temperature and, additionally, with the mechanism which will provide the :required automatic fire protection. If high pressure cylinders are used, 1. e., conventional cylinders having a capacity of 50 pounds of liquid carbon'dioxide for each cylinder, each one of these cylinders, when standing on end, will occupy one square foot of fioor space. Therefore, '8 cylinders, holding 400 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide could be substituted for the illustrated low pressure tanks and their enclosing insulation while 12 cylinders, holding 600 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide could be arranged in the entire cabinet. It is obvious, therefore, that considerably more liquid carbon dioxide can be provided for a unit of a given size if the carbon dioxide is stored in low pressure tanks and is maintained 'at a desired subatmospheric temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure.

Another important advantage which results from the use of low pressure insulated storage tanks is that the tanks need not be disturbed once they are properly mounted in the cabinet. When low pressure storage tanks are employed, a liquid level gauge 9 is provided which indicates at all times the amount of liquid carbon dioxide stored in the tanks. If conventional 50-pound cylinders were employed, it is necessary to weigh each cylinder individually to determine the amount of carbon dioxidethat cylinder contains. If a full charge of carbon dioxide is not found in the cylinder, it is necessary to send the cylinder to a charging plant for the addition of more carbon dioxide, or the recharging of the cylinder. These weighing and recharging operations make necessary the removalof the cylinders from the cabinet. A unit which stores its liquid carbon dioxide in low pressure tanks maybe transportedto a convenient position with respect to the exterior of the building and then recharged from a transportation truck which has been driven to the building. The liquid carbon dioxide charged into the tanks of the unit may-be at any desired low temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure.

The'above noted advantages accruingfrom the use of low pressure insulated storage tanks have particular bearing on the type of fire fighting equipment being considered. There are, however, several additional benefits or advantages to be obtained from the use of low pressure, low temperature liquid carbon dioxide as distinguished from high pressure, atmospheric temperature liquid carbon dioxide.

For example, the latent heat of vaporization of carbon dioxide liquid (at F. and 290 lb. gauge pressure) is 120.1 B. t. u. per pound, whereas (at +70 F. and 838.8 lb. gauge pressure) the latent heat of vaporization is only 63.8 B. t. u. per pound. In low pressure carbon dioxide stored at 0 F., we have in addition to the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid at this low temperature, the refrigeration involved in raising the temperature of the discharged vapors from 0 F. to +70 F. In high pressure carbon dioxide stored at atmospheric temperature (70 F.) the only refrigerating capacity consists of the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid at that temperature because the initial and final temperatures are identical. Therefore, for every 100 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide, stored at 0 F., we have a total B. t. u. refrigerating effect (latent heat plus specific heat) of 13,480 B. t. u. For every 100 pounds of high pressure liquid carbon dioxide, stored at 70 F., we have a total refrigerating effect (latent heat only) of 6380 B. t. u. The net gain in refrigerating effect, when comparing the above figures, is 7100 B. t. u. per 100 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide discharged to effect extinguishment of a fire. As extinguishment of a fire is dependent primarily upon the lowering of the temperature of the materials being consumed to a value below their ignition temperature, this increase in refrigerating effect is of vital importance.

Figs. 2 and 3 disclose two low pressure, liquid carbon dioxide storage tanks 17 which are interconnected at their lower ends by the short pipe section 18 and are provided with a common vapor chamber at their upper ends by the header l3 which is in open communication with both of the tanks. These tanks are completely enclosed in a suitable envelope or covering 20 which is formed of appropriate heat insulating material.

A liquid discharge line 2| extends from the bottom of one of these tanks to a point within the cabinet IE but located exteriorly of both insulated tanks. This discharge line connects at its outer end with one branch of the casing of a discharge valve 22 as well as to one branch of the casing of a manually controlled charging valve 23, see Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

Fig. 3 clearly discloses the vapor chamber of the header l9 as having connected thereto a pipe line 24 which extends exteriorly of the insulation 20 and terminates in a coupling '25. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 disclose this coupling as having connected thereto a fitting 25 which holds a rupturable, blow-out disc 21 that will be fractured and will release the carbon dioxide from the tank in the event of failure of all of the apparatus, to be described, which is normally relied upon to maintain the stored liquid at the preselected, subatmospheric temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure. The coupling 25 also has attached thereto a fitting 28 to which are connected two automatic, bleed-off valve devices 28. These bleed-01f devices are set for operating at different pressures for slowly bleeding carbon dioxide vapors from the tank. It will be ap preciated that when carbon dioxide vapors are slowly withdrawn from the vapor space of a tank holding both liquid and vapor carbon dioxide, the vaporization of liquid to take the place of the vapors bled from the container will cause self-refrigeration of the remaining liquid. This self-refrigeration will be accompanied by a lowering of the pressure of the stored carbon dioxide to a value which will be below the opening pressure of the bleed-off device. This bleed-off device, therefore, will automatically close after the required amount of self-refrigeration has taken place. These bleed-off devices 29 are merely employed as supplemental temperature and pressure control devices to be relied upon in case of mechanical failure, etc., of the refrigerating apparatus, which will be described at a later point, that is normally employed for maintaining the stored liquid at the desired subatmospheric temperature. The two bleed-off devices 29 are set for operating at different pressures so that the protection afforded by one of these devices will be supplemented by the protection afforded by the other.

To replenish the tanks, after the liquid carbon dioxide has been discharged therefrom to accomplish extinguishment of a fire, the unit is wheeled to an accessible location for a carbon dioxide delivery truck. The liquid space of the truck will be connected to the second branch of the charging valve 23. The vapor space of the truck tank will be connected to the vapor space of the tanks ll of the unit through the medium of the fitting 26, or the coupling 25 to which the fitting is attached. With the liquid and vapor spaces of the supply tank and extinguished tanks thus interconnected, the required amount of liquid carbon dioxide may be displaced from the supply tank into the extinguisher tank. After this recharging operation has been accomplished, the previously referred to connections are broken and the unit may be returned to the location of the hazard to be protected thereby.

For the purpose of normally maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide within the storage tanks H at the desired subatmospheric temperature, and its corresponding vapor pressure, a cooling coil 30 is located in the vapor space of the header l9. This coil, see Figs. 2 and 3, is connected by the pipe line 3| to the refrigerant receiver 32 of a conventional mechanical refrigerating device. A suitable expansion Valve 33 is coupled in the conventional manner in the pipe line 3|. The refrigerant receiver 32 is connected by a branch line 34 to one end of an air cooled condenser coil 35. The remaining end of this condenser coil is connected by the branch line 35 to the discharge side of the compressor 31. The intake side of this compressor is connected by the pipe line 38 to the remaining side of the cooling coil 30. An electric motor 39 is provided for driving the compressor 31 and its armature shaft has mounted thereon a fan 40 associated with the condenser coil 35 for blowing air over this coil to cool the same.

The cooling coil 30 in the vapor space of the tank header l9 maintains the liquid carbon dioxide in the tanks I! at the desired subatmospheric temperature by condensing carbon dioxide vapors in said vapor space and allowing the drops of condensation to be returned by gravity to the liquid bodies in the tanks. The mechanical refrigerating device connected to this coil 30 is operated at proper intervals and for appropriate lengths of time to accomplish this desired temperature control of the stored liquid carbon dioxide. When the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the tanks I! reaches a predetermined maximum, the mechanical refrigerating device will be automatically placed in operation. This device will continue to operate until the carbon dioxide pressure has been lowered to a predetermined minimum when the refrigcrating device will shut off automatically. The various figures disclose a mercoid pressure switch 4|, of any suitable construction, for controlling this automatic operation of the refrigerating device. Fig. 1 discloses this mercoid switch as being visible through a suitable opening formed in the illustrated end wall of the cabinet iii. A gauge Ala for indicating tank pressure also is visible.

The previously referred to discharge valve 22 is automatically operated for the purpose of initiating the discharge of carbon dioxide from the two tanks I? into the enclosure, in which the extinguisher unit is placed, in response to detection of a hostile fire. This valve of course, may be of numerous different designs and may employ difierent sources of operating power. In the present illustration, the valve is operated by a solenoid which is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 and is designated by the reference character 42. This valve normally is closed but is opened when the solenoid coil is energized. When this solenoid valve is opened, liquid carbon dioxide flows from. the tanks I? through the discharge line 2! to the valve 22. From this valve it flows through the perpendicular line 2-3 to the discharge nozzle i-i which is mounted in a suitable opening formed in the top wall of the cabinet iii. As the liquid carbon dioxide is discharged through this nozzle 54 into the room or enclosure being protected by the unit, the liquid is permitted to suddenly expand and the actual discharge takes the form of a mixture of carbon dioxide vapors and snow. Several difierent types of discharge nozzles may be employed, but the one specifically illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, corresponds with the type of'apparatus disclosed and claimed in the application of Harry Ensminger, Ser; No. 247,268, filed December 22, 1938. By employing different sizes, or diameters, for the discharge line 2! and the discharge nozzle 3, any desired-rate of discharge may be employed. For example, a one and one-half inch discharge line with a single dischar e nozzle of corresponding size will release approximately lGQO pounds of liquid carbon dioxide in 60 seconds. Faster rates of dis charge may be obtained by increasing the diameter of the discharge flow path through the line 2! and the discharge nozzle.

The release of the stored liquid carbon dioxide into the room or enclosure to be protected accomplishes automatic flooding of the room. The desired carbon dioxide concentration to accomplish extinguishment of a fire in any portion of the room may be obtained by employing a proper quality of carbon dioxide for that particular room. Where different. sized rooms are to be protected at different times by a single unit, the unit should have a capacity for the largest one of these rooms, in accordanoe with the table given above. As carbon dioxide vapors possess the characteristic of flowing in three directions and will penetrate small cracks and crevices, the release of the carbon dioxide at any one point within the room or enclosure will accomplish extinguishrnent of a fire located at any other point or in any other place within the room or enclosure.

To accomplish automatic detection of the fire,

a suitable heat responsive device must be employed. The details of this device are not disclosed, but the housingicr the same is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and designated by the reference character 65. on a stem or pip 45 which extends through the top wall of the cabinet iii. This stem or pipe is This housing is mounted tricity for operating 3 shows a wire connection 5! which is attached be protected at difierent times by the unit. cable 5!, or conduit for the electrical supply extensible or vertically adjustably attached to.

the cabinet so that the casing d5 may occupy the pocket or recess 41 when the unit is being moved from one place to another. properly installed in the room or enclosure to be provided with automatic fire protection, the stem or pipe 36 with its casing 45 should be adjusted vertically so as to locate the casing, and its heat responsive means, adjacent the ceiling of the room or enclosure. The heat responsive device located in the casing 45 should operate in response to rapid rates of rise of temperature within the room or enclosure and shouldclose an electric circuit when thus actuated. Diagrammatically repre ented by the casing or housing i8 is a suitable holding relay, of any conventional design, which will function to maintain the coil of the valve solenoid 42energized for a suflicient length of time to allow all of the, stored liquid carbon dioxide to be discharged through, the nozzle 64. In other words, this holding relay will maintain the solenoid valve energized for the proper length of time after the operating circuit of the relay has once been closed by the heat responsive device within the casing 45.

When the room or enclosure to be protected by the unit of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, if of considerable dimensions horizontally, it will be found to be desirable to have more than one. heat responsive fire detecting means connected to the unit. Fig. 3 discloses one way of accomplishing this desired result. In this figure, one or more additional heat responsive devices may be permanently installed in the room by being attached I to the ceiling and interconnected through appropriate piping 48. These additional or auxiliary heat responsive devices may be connected to the heat responsive device of the unit through a flexible, armored conduit it. This conduit, of

,course, will house the required electric Wires and may be connected to the casing d5 of the unit by a conventional, electric plug and socket structure 53. In other words, when the unit is Wheeled into the room or enclosure to be protected and this room or enclosure is provided with a series of permanently installed heat responsive devices, the permanent devices will be coupled to the device of the unit and the solenoid controlled discharge valve for the carbon dioxide will be actuated in response to energization of any one of the heat responsive devices. Of course, additional or auxiliary heat responsive devices may beprovided with suitable supporting means so that they may be transported with the unit from one room to another. Such portable, auxiliary heat responsive devices could be mounted on suitable standards, having properly weighted bases, which could be spotted at suitable locations around the room and properly connected to the heat responsive device of the unit in the manner generally illustrated in Fig. 3.

Exclusive of the use of additional or auxiliary heat responsive devices, the unit is entirely selfcontained except for a source of supply of electhe electrical devices. Fig.

to the unit and is intended to be plugged into an electrical wall outlet 52 which is provided at the proper location in each room or enclosure to The wires, extends through the cabinet Hi to a combined outlet and junction box 52; A suitable connection 53 for the motor 39 of the refrigerator device extends from this outlet and junction box When the unit is.

52. A branch conduit 54 extends to a second junction box 55 while a conduit 56 extends from this box to the casing 48 of the relay. After the unit is properly located in the room or enclosure to be protected, the proper connection with the wiring system of the building is established through the medium of the cable When carbon dioxide vapors are discharged into a room or enclosure for the purpose of totally flooding the same to extinguish a fire, the entire space of the room or enclosure is provided with the desired extinguishing atmosphere, or CO2 concentration. As carbon dioxide vapors are more dense than the air of the room or enclos- 2 use, these vapors will settle toward the floor after the-discharge has ceased. Therefore, the lower levels of the room or enclosure will, normally, be

subjected to an extinguishing atmosphere for a greater length of time than the upper levels.

""f This is-. an extremely undesirable condition if the iireis located in an upper region.

..To overcome this undesirable feature, a blower, represented by the casing 51, is located in the cabinet In. The fan of this blower is driven by the electric motor 58. Electricity for this motor is supplied by wires which extend through the conduit 59 that is connected to the junction box 55. A center inlet 60 is provided for the blower casing 51. This inlet extends to and opens through the end wall of the cabinet, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The peripheral outlet for the blower casing 51 has connected thereto a conduit 6| which extends to and opens through the top wall of the cabinet, as is indicated at 62 in Fig. 2. It will be noted by inspecting Figs. 1 and 3 that the inlet for the blower is located a reasonable distance from the floor line 63 and, therefore, will permit the blower to draw in the extinguishing atmosphere, having the concentration found at this level, and discharge the same in an upward direction, or toward the ceiling. The extinguishing atmosphere circulated by means of this blower arrangement will function to maintain a uniform concentration of carbon dioxide for a considerable time after the discharge of carbon dioxide vapors has stopped. The electric motor 58, employed for driving the fan of the blower, may be operated in any timed relation to the discharge period of the carbon dioxide which is found to be desirable. For example, the motor 58 may be started at the same time the discharge of the carbon dioxide is initiated and may continue for any desired length of time after the carbon dioxide has been completely discharged or this blower motor may be started by operation of the holding relay 48 to close the automatic valve 22, as a result of deenergizing the solenoid 42, and the motor may be permitted to run until the supply of electricity to the unit is broken by disconnecting the cable 5| from the wall outlet 52.

This unit of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, has been given specific dimensions for two low pressure tanks, each one of which has a capacity for 500 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide. It will be ap preciated that a unit having a capacity for 500 pounds of liquid carbon dioxide may be provided by dispensing with the use of one of these tanks IT. The unit may be shortened by approximately 22 inches for this reduction in capacity. Of course, one or two additional 500 pound capacity tanks can be added to the two specifically illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The overall length of the unit will be increased by approximately 22 inches for each tank which is added,

Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, discloses a modified form of automatic fire protection unit which is intended to operate in the same manner as and will perform the same functions as the unit shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. This unit of Figs. 5 to 8', inclsuive, difiers principally in design from the previously described unit.

For example, the cabinet 63 is of approximately square formation in top plan and a single low pressure storage tank 64 is arranged therein. This tank, with its enclosing insulation 65, substantially fills the horizontal cross section of the cabinet for a given portion of its height. The unoccupied upper portion of the cabinet houses the refrigerating and controlling apparatus which was described as being located in the end portion of the cabinet illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. This unit of Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, is not actually illustrated as being provided with facilities for connection with additional heat responsive, fire detecting devices or with blower means for producing a circulation of the extinguishing atmosphere to maintain a uniform concentration throughout the height of the room or enclosure. It is to be understood, however, that this unit of Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, may be provided with these additional facilities if desired. In describing this modified unit, it should be sufficient to merely identify the various parts or elements of the mechanism. The operation of this mechanism will be understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed disclosure of the unit shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive.

The pipe line 66 is employed for effecting discharge of the liquid carbon dioxide from the low pressure tank 54 and for accomplishing recharging of this tank. This pipe line, therefore, is connected at its upper, exterior end to the manual valve 61, employed for establishing communication between the liquid space of the tank and the liquid space of the supply tank carried by a servicing truck, and to an automatic solenoid valve 68 which controls communication between the pipe line 65 and the discharge nozzle 69.

The vapor space of the tank 64 has a pipe line 10 connected thereto which has attached to its upper, exterior end, a coupling H. A fitting 12 is suitably connected to the coupling and holds the rupturable safety disc 13. This fitting, also, is employed for establishing a connection between the vapor space of the tank 64 and the vapor space of the supply truck tank when the unit is to be recharged. The coupling H also has attached thereto the bleed-off devices 13 which will function to maintain the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the tank 64 at a desired subatmospheric temperature in case the refrigerating apparatus fails to perform its intended function.

A cooling coil 14 is located in the vapor space of the tank 64. One end of this cooling coil is connected by a pipe line 15 to the refrigerant receiver 16. A pipe line 11 connects the receiver 16 to the air cooled condenser coil 18 at one end. The remaining end of this condenser coil is connected by the pipe line 19 to the compressor at its discharge side. The intake side of this compressor is connected by a pipe line 8! with the second end of the cooling coil 14 that is located in the vapor space of the storage tank. An expansion valve 82 is provided in the line 15. An electric motor 83 is provided for drivin the compressor and the armature shaft of this motor has mounted thereon a fan 84 which blows air over the air cooled condenser coil 18 of the refrigerator circuit. A mercoid pressure switch 85 is employed and is operated by the pressure of the carbon dioxide in the storage tank 64 for controlling the periods of operation of the mechanical refrigerating device. A pres sure gauge 86 and a liquid level gauge 87 are suitably connected to the tank 64 and are visible through one wall of the cabinet 63 to permit an attendant to determine the condition of the extinguishing medium.

An extensible and retractible heat responsive, fire detecting device 88 is illustrated as being carried by the stem or pipe 89 that extends into the cabinet through its top wall and is vertically adjustably mounted with respect thereto. A holding relay is provided for the solenoid valve 68 and, as was explained for the unit of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, this relay will maintain the valve open for a predetermined length of time after the heat responsive device 88 has once been actuated.

The supply of current for the electrical apparatus of this unit is provided by means of the cable 9! which may be connected to the wall outlet 92 and extends to a junction box 93 located in the cabinet.

The upper portion of the cabinet is provided with two pairs of doors 94 which may be opened to obtain access to the mechanism housed within f the upper portion of the cabinet. These doors are provided with -louvres85 to allow for a circulation of air through this part of the cabinet.

Tins unit also isprovided with castered supporting wheels $6 to permit the unit to be readily transported from one location to another. To facilitate handling of the entire unit by means of a crane or hoist, lifting eyes 9'! are attached to the upper end of the cabinet.

It is believed that this explanation of the modified form of unit, when considered in connection with the description of the more completely illustrated unit of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, will enable anyone skilled in the art to fully understand the construction and mode of operation of the unit of Figs. to 8, inclusive.

It is to be understood that the forms of this invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in theshape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, 1 claim:

1. A complet ly unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishinent, comprising a transportable cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, and heat responsive mean carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the fiow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire.

2. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extingnishrnent, comprising a wheeled cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction from the top of the cabinet into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, and-heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection-of a fire.

3. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the fiow initiating means to eiiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the'ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level.

4-. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishrnent, comprising a wheeled cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which F the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction from the top of the cabinet into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to efiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected upwardly into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level.

5. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, ineans housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device con-. nected to confining means and adapted to discb rge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, initiating the fiow of carbon dioxide to the dlSCDitlgG device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating m ans to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of 'a fire, and means carried bythe cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting the same in the direction of the ceiling to eliect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

6. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection extin guishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to'be used for creating a fireextinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction from the top of the cabinet into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the fiow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to effect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

7. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect A discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to effect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

8. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction from the top of the cabinet into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to effect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguisher atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

9. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said container means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, and heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire.

10. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction relative to the top of the cabinet into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge means, and heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire.

11. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishrnent, comprising a transportable cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device,heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level.

12. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confinining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction toward the ceiling of the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the fiow initiating means to efiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level.

13. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating means to efiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from nearer the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to effect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

14. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction toward the ceiling of the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the flow initiating means to efiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from nearer the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to effect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

15. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a transportable cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for T creating a fire'extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to efiect' circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height'of the enclosure.

16. A completely unitized, portable fire fighting device providing automatic detection and extinguishment, comprising a wheeled cabinet, heat insulated container means housed in said cabinet for confining liquid'carbon dioxide at a desired subatmospheric temperature and its corresponding vapor pressure to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure in which the cabinet is placed, means housed in said cabinet and operatively connected to said confining means for maintaining the liquid carbon dioxide at said desired subatmospheric temperature and pressure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide in an upward direction from the cabinet toward the ceiling of the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to efiect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

17 Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising the combination with the enclosure to be flooded with carbon dioxide Vapors to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere of heat responsive means permanently installed at different locations in said enclosure and exposed to the temperatures prevailing at said locations, a transportable cabinet adapted to be moved into said enclosure, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the said enclosure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the fiow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon'dioxide upon detection of a fire, and means for connecting the heatresponsive means carried by the cabinet to the heat responsive means permanently installed in the enclosure for rendering said latter heat responsive means operative to actuate the fiow initiating means in the event of detection of a fire by any one of said permanently installed means.

18. Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising the, combination with the enclosure to be flooded with carbon dioxide vapors to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere, of heat responsive means located at different points in the enclosure and exposed to the temperatures prevailing at,said points, a transportable cabinet adapted to be moved into said enclosure, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be ,used for'creating the saidfire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure, ,a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to, thedischarge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to eiiect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means'ior ,adjustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into aposition adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that, level, and means for connecting the heat responsive means located at diirerent points in theenclosure to the heat responsive means adjustably mounted on the cabinet.

19. Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising the combination with the enclosure to be fiooded with carbon dioxide vapors to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere of heat responsive means permanently installed at different locations in said enclosure and exposed to the temperatures prevailing at said locations, a transportable cabinet adapted to be moved into said enclosure, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating a fire extinguishing atmosphere in the said enclosure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide to the discharge device, heat responsive means carried by the cabinet and exposed to the temperature of the said enclosure for actuating the fiow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for connecting the heat responsive means carried by the cabinet to the heat responsive means permanently installed in the enclosure for rendering said latter heat responsive means operative to actuate the flow initiating means in the event of detection of a fire by any one of said permanently installed means, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor leve1 of the enclosure and projecting them into the direction of the ceiling to efiect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the weight of the enclosure.

7 20. Fire extinguishing apparatus comprising the combination with the enclosure to be flooded with carbon dioxide vapors to create a fire extinguishing atmosphere, of heat responsive means located at different points in the enclosure and exposed to the temperatures prevailing at said points, a transportable cabinet adapted to be moved into said enclosure, means housed in said cabinet for confining carbon dioxide to be used for creating the said fire extinguishing atmosphere in the enclosure, a discharge device connected to said confining means and adapted to discharge the carbon dioxide into the enclosure, means for initiating the flow of carbon dioxide .to the discharge device, heat responsive means for actuating the flow initiating means to effect discharge of the carbon dioxide upon detection of a fire, means for adj'ustably mounting the heat responsive means on the cabinet so that it may be projected into a position adjacent the ceiling of the enclosure to be exposed to the enclosure temperature at that level, means for connecting the heat responsive means located at different points in the enclosure to the heat responsive means adjustably mounted on the cabinet, and means carried by the cabinet for drawing. carbon dioxide vapors from near the floor level of the enclosure and projecting them in the direction of the ceiling to eiiect circulation of said vapors and thereby maintain a uniform concentration of the extinguishing atmosphere throughout the height of the enclosure.

- ERIC GEERTZ.

CHARLES A. GETZ.

V EBTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,2 7, 75, June 50 19L 2.

ERIC GEER'I'Z, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring. correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 6, for "spaced" read -spaces-; and second column, line 27, strike out "because" second occurrence; page 2, second column, line 26, for "complete-" read completely--; page 5, first column, line 25, for "increased or" read -increased for; page it, second column, line 26, for "extinguished" read --extinguisher-; page 5, second column, line 2'7, for "if read is-; page 6, second column, line 1, for "discloses' read -dis close-; page 8, first column, line 67, claim 8, for extinguisher" read -eXtinguishing--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. n K

Signed and s ealed this 18th day of August, A. D. 1942.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

